County Eyes Agritourism Regs

Concern Some May Use New Mandate To Avoid Zoning Rules

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Posted: June 17, 2014

By BRYAN GILKERSON

Curt Hartman, owner of Bluestone Vineyard on Spring Creek Road west of Bridgewater, walks along a hillside of Norton grapes, first cultivated in Richmond in the early 1800s. Hartman says he supports Rockingham County’s efforts to define what constitutes agritourism in the wake of a new state law. (Photos by Michael Reilly / DN-R)

Curt Hartman, owner of Bluestone Vineyard, west of Bridgewater, inspects aging wines in the barrel room on Thursday. Rockingham County officials say local governments across the state are trying to figure out how to bring their ordinances in line with a new agritourism law, which takes effect July 1.

Vicky Mongold, during a tasting session Thursday, pours a glass of Beau, a white wine named for Hartman’s golden retriever.

HARRISONBURG — How far can local governments go in regulating nonfarming activities on land zoned for agricultural use?

That is the question to be answered as the Rockingham County Board of…